Govt to frame tourism policy for livelihood purpose: J&K min

Jammu and Kashmir, Minister for Tourism Tassaduq Hussain Mufti said the state government has adopted a multipronged strategy to harness the tourism potential and position J&K as the leading global destination. He also said that the idea is to make tourism sector as the principal engine of the State’s economic growth. Tassaduq said the government’s endeavour would be to frame a tourism policy for not just creating jobs but to ensure better livelihood for the people.

“We should not ignore the environmental consequences while creating infrastructure and exploring new destinations. The emerging situation around Pyangong Lake, Ladakh and Sonamarg in Kashmir due to uncontrolled human activities,” he said while stressing on the need on laying equal focus on the waste management in the environmentally fragile destinations.

Listing the achievements of Tourism department during 2017-18, the Minister informed that various projects were taken up under centrally sponsored Swadesh Darshan Scheme, of which many have been completed and remaining are at advance stage of completion. Development of Sound and Light Show with water fountains at SKICC Ghats at a cost of Rs 8 crore and Rs 1.53 crore Eco log Multipurpose hall at Apple Resort at Chinniwooder in Anantnag has been completed, while wayside amenities in Bijbehara at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore and development of Tourism infrastructure at Suchetgarh Border at a cost of Rs 4.92 crore is in progress.

Various projects under Prime Minister Development Package (PMDP), including development of tourist facilities at Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu involving a cost of Rs 15.96 crore, development of tourist facilities at SKICC at a cost of Rs 9.25 crore, development of water Sports at Manasbal Lakeworth Rs 5 crore, development of tourist facilities at Dal lake at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore and Eco log huts at Jammu Tawi Golf Course, involving cost of Rs 8 crore are in progress and shall be completed on fast track basis. He said projects under PMDP have been taken up at an accumulative cost of Rs 32.7crore,  while works at Tourist Convention Centre, Srinagar taken up under State Plan at a cost of 12 crore are expected to be completed by June, 2018.

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